ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A pair of first-half goals by Lewis Hilton and Kyle Greig proved key as the Tampa Bay Rowdies took a 3-1 victory against FC Tulsa on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium to return to the win column before their home fans.

Having been held scoreless in their past two outings, the Rowdies got out to a flying start and took the lead in just the third minute as Sebastian Guenzatti drove into the left side of the penalty area and forced a punch with a ball into the six-yard area from Tulsa’s Sean Lewis, only for the ball to come out centrally for Hilton to power home the rebound. The visitors almost answered immediately two minutes later when a looping ball into the penalty area was headed on target by JJ Williams, but Rowdies goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena tipped the effort just over the crossbar.

The pace slowed after the fast opening, but the Rowdies were handed a chance to double their lead in the 25th minute when Jake LaCava was brought down in the penalty area after a jinking run. Guenzatti stepped up but hit the right post with his shot and the ball went behind for a goal kick. LaCava continued to find opportunities in the final third for the hosts, however, and eight minutes before halftime the second goal came as he received possession in the right channel and delivered a low near-post cross that Greig turned home.

The Rowdies carried their two-goal lead into the second half where both the visitors and hosts went close early on as Tulsa’s Eric Bird had a long-range shot saved by Arozarena before Greig almost notched a second only to be denied well by Lewis as he came off his line after a driving run forward and through-ball by Yann Ekra. Tulsa’s Brian Brown also threatened for the visitors with 11 minutes to go as his long-range shot from the right channel was tipped onto the left post by Arozarena, but six minutes later the visitors pulled within a goal as Williams and Brown combined to set up Williams for a finish from 10 yards out.

The hope for Tulsa was short-lived, however as with three minutes remaining the Rowdies’ restored their two-goal advantage. Leo Fernandes’ controlling touch on his chest moved him past his marker on the left, allowing him to drive into the penalty area where his low cross was put home by Dayonn Harris at the far post to seal all three points for the hosts.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Lewis Hilton, Tampa Bay Rowdies – Hilton scored the opening goal of the game and had three chances created while completing 64 of 71 passes and making six recoveries in the center of midfield.

Scoring Summary
TBR – Lewis Hilton 3’
TBR – Kyle Greig (Jake LaCava) 37’
TUL – JJ Williams (Brian Brown) 85’
TBR – Dayonn Harris (Leo Fernandes) 87’

Full Box Score